Xianglan remained with her head lowered, fingers twisting together, only hearing Lin Jinlou's slow drawl above her: "Oh, if that's not what you meant, then what was the meaning behind that expression you wore earlier?"
Xianglan thought to herself: "If I say it's because I don't want to be a concubine, who knows how he'll flare up—better not mention that." After turning it over in her mind a few times, she managed to cobble together an excuse: "Because... because my zodiac sign clashes this year, it's unfavorable for such matters. I was afraid mentioning it would upset Eldest Master..."
Lin Jinlou was taken aback, skeptical: "Really? Just because of that?"
Xianglan gave a soft "Mm," staring down at her fingertips without another word.
Lin Jinlou frowned slightly. He didn't care much about zodiac signs himself, but his parents, even his grandfather, paid some attention to such things. A few years back, when he went to suppress bandits, his mother had wept all day, adamantly refusing to let him go, saying his birth year was inauspicious and he might suffer bloodshed. On the battlefield, he did indeed get slashed by a blade and needed time to recover... Perhaps there was some truth to these taboos after all? Little Xianglan had always been devout in her Buddhist beliefs and superstitions—if this was the reason, it made sense.
Lin Jinlou said impatiently, "Just because of this trivial matter, why didn't you speak up during the meal?" Then he remembered how afraid of him Xianglan was; if she had dared bring it up at the table, he would have been displeased anyway, likely thinking she was unwilling and simply making trouble for no reason. He fell silent awkwardly, running a hand through his hair. "Well... if it can't be this year, then forget it. There are already many celebrations this year—Second Brother just had his in the capital, and Fourth Sister's wedding is coming up soon. Madam thinks highly of you and has told me she wants to make it a grand occasion for you, but I'm worried she'll overexert herself. We'll wait until next spring and pick an auspicious date."
"There's no need for grandeur, nor to trouble Madam. It's not such a big matter anyway."
"How is it not a big matter? You foolish girl, this is Madam showing you favor, ensuring no one can look down on you in the future. Why would you refuse such a good thing?"
"Madam is quite busy..."
"Then let Shu Ran handle the arrangements, and Madam can preside over it when the time comes. I'll also invite a few friends to make it lively." Lin Jinlou reached out, pulling Xianglan into his embrace. "This is to show those servants in the household—every one of them has eyes only for wealth and status... Ah well, we'll have to wait until next year anyway." As he spoke, he patted Xianglan absently, lost in thought for a moment.
Leaning against Lin Jinlou's chest, Xianglan caught the scent of soap beans, mint herbs from his sachet, and his masculine aura, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She could only fix her gaze on Lin Jinlou's hands—large and broad, the calluses on his palms worn from gripping a sword and reins, so different from Song Ke's slender, pale hands... After parting with Song Ke, she had thought she would eventually marry a scholar, regardless of status, as long as he was virtuous, diligent, gentle, and kind-hearted, with a respectable family. The man would study diligently, earn an official rank, while she painted to earn silver, gradually acquiring a few acres of land—life would surely get better and better.
Who could have imagined things would turn out like this...
Xianglan sighed silently. Some things were best not pondered too deeply; dwelling on them only brought distress. She didn't want to push herself so harshly anymore. Before, her heart had burned with anxiety, each day in the Lin household a struggle. In the end, aside from tears, what had her stubborn resistance gained her but wounds and bruises?She took a deep breath, as if doing so could cool her troubled heart. The worst outcome now was becoming Lin Jinlou's concubine, but as long as she had breath left in her, she would struggle against these shackles—she couldn't spend her life as a plaything trading on her looks. Still, this matter couldn't be rushed.
Lost in thought, she heard Lin Jinlou say, "I'll be heading to the capital in a few days—first for an audience with the emperor, then to handle some affairs there, and finally for Fourth Miss's wedding. Since Marquis Yongchang's residence is in the capital, we'll deliver the dowry along the way. This time, you'll accompany me. Have the maids pack your luggage later."
Xianglan was taken aback. She lifted her eyes to glance at Lin Jinlou, who was casually examining the glass screen on the table. Sensing her gaze, he looked down at her with a smile. "What? Don't want to go?"
Xianglan quickly lowered her head and replied swiftly, "No, I'd very much like to go." It had been over a decade since she last returned to the capital. The Shen family was utterly destroyed—those who survived were scattered, their whereabouts unknown. Though the capital held no one she cared about now, it was filled with memories. She wanted to return, yet she felt a timid reluctance.
Lin Jinlou pinched her small chin, lifting her face, then gently tucked the hair beside her cheek behind her ear. Seeing her slightly flushed face, he softened his voice. "Once we reach the capital, I'll take you around. Tell me where you want to go, and I'll definitely bring you." He then made promises—where they would eat, which operas they would watch, whose gardens they would stroll through.
After a while, Lin Jinlou felt content. He patted Xianglan's head, told her to rest first, and went back to reviewing official documents.
Xianglan lay in bed, her mind wandering, until she drifted into a hazy sleep at some point.
The next day, after breakfast, Lin Jinlou went out. Before leaving, he instructed Shu Ran to arrange the luggage for him and Xianglan. Xianglan then ordered Chunling to open the trunks and select spring and summer clothes to bring, picking out a few extra pieces to reward the maids around her.
Chunling quietly asked, "For this trip, who does Concubine wish to bring along?"
Xianglan hesitated slightly. Lin Jinlou had told her to bring four or five maids this time, "so it won't be like in Yangzhou, with no reliable people around." Xianglan mentally reviewed her options: Lianxin and Tinglan were helping Qin Shi with arrangements and naturally couldn't be taken. She wanted to bring Chunling, Xiao Juan, Ling Qing, and Ling Su. The first two had shared hardships with her and were unquestionably close, while Ling Qing and Ling Su were ones she wished to promote. However, ever since her return, Chunling had been at odds with her. Xianglan knew clearly that Chunling was upset about Ling Qing and Ling Su, responding coldly and making herself hard to direct.
Though displeased, Xianglan remembered their past bond and considered Chunling outspoken but not malicious, so she tolerated it. She planned to have a good talk with her later to clear the air, but the thought of Chunling's fiery, unyielding temperament gave her a headache.
Faced with the question now, Xianglan hesitated again. After all, she was closer to Chunling and worried that mentioning she would also bring Ling Qing and Ling Su would upset Chunling further.
Just then, Xiao Juan lifted the curtain and announced, "Fourth Miss is here."
The announcement came as a relief to Xianglan. She quickly stood up and said to Chunling, "Hurry and prepare tea for Fourth Miss."Lin Dongxiu had already entered with her maid, dressed in a bright peach-red silk jacket embroidered with flowers and birds, and a sky-blue lark-pleated skirt. Her hair was meticulously styled, adorned with a full set of red gold lantern-shaped hairpins and accessories. Her face was lightly powdered, with no trace of her previous sickly appearance—she now looked radiant, her cheeks tender and glowing, as if transformed into a different person. The maid following her was Qiangwei, originally from Qin Shi’s household. As Lin Dongxiu was to be married, and with Lin Zhaoxiang’s approval, Qin Shi had selected four maids from her own quarters, promoting Qiangwei to first-class status and assigning her to serve Lin Dongxiu.
As soon as she entered, Lin Dongxiu took Xianglan’s hand, examining her left and right, and exclaimed, “Amitabha, you’ve finally returned!” She warmly linked arms with Xianglan, saying, “I came by yesterday when I heard you were back, but you were asleep. Knowing you must be exhausted from the journey, I didn’t dare disturb you. And you even specially brought me gifts—every flower in that box is lovely, and the face powder, hair oil, and rouge are all excellent, so fragrant and fine. You’ve truly gone to great trouble.” As they spoke, the two sat down together.
Seeing her like this, Xianglan thought to herself, “Some weep while others laugh. I’ve heard that Lin Dongling has already set up a mourning hall, and no one knows where she’s been sent off to. Meanwhile, Lin Dongxiu has gained an unexpected advantage. As the saying goes, ‘Fortune lies where misfortune lurks, and misfortune lies where fortune hides.’ With her temperament, this marriage may not necessarily be a blessing. Still, she’s achieved her wish in the end, so it’s worth celebrating.” She then smiled and said, “You’re about to be a bride—even if something unflattering were applied to your face, you’d still look charming.”
Lin Dongxiu pretended to be angry, retorting, “Even you’re teasing me!” But then she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed.
Lin Dongxiu had never liked Xianglan before, but now, owing her a favor and buoyed by her advantageous marriage, all her previous aversion vanished, replaced by a sense of closeness. She instructed Qiangwei to open the box she had brought. Inside, Xianglan saw two types of needlework, both made by Lin Dongxiu, along with two books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, all intended as gifts for her.
Lin Dongxiu said cheerfully, “These writing materials are of the finest quality—my father gave them to us sisters. I don’t have much use for them ordinarily, but you’re such an elegant person—giving them to you is a perfect match.”
Xianglan smiled faintly and replied, “Since it’s your kind intention, I’ll accept them gladly.”
After chatting for a while, as noon approached, Shu Ran came in to speak with Xianglan, and Lin Dongxiu took her leave.
Xiao Juan, tidying up the teacups and utensils, grumbled, “I never knew Fourth Miss was such a chatterbox. She went on and on, talking endlessly about her wedding preparations, drinking cup after cup of tea without even thinking to leave.”
Xianglan rubbed her temples and said, “This is her moment of triumph—it’s hard for her to contain herself.” Lin Dongxiu was genuinely overjoyed about her prestigious match. Xianglan had tried several times to change the subject, but Lin Dongxiu would inevitably steer it back to her trousseau, so she had simply let her talk to her heart’s content.
Xianglan took a sip of tea and asked, “Where’s Chunling? I haven’t seen her since earlier. I asked her to serve tea to Fourth Miss, but she left and never returned.”Xiao Juan pursed her lips and said, "Her? Who knows where she went. Qiangwei came today, and those two have been at odds ever since the promotion to first-rank maid. Later, Qiangwei followed Fourth Miss and was promoted to deputy young lady, which made Chunling uncomfortable. Seeing Qiangwei come again with Fourth Miss today, she certainly didn’t want to serve in front of them."
As they were speaking, Ling Qing and Xue Ning entered, each holding a vase with long branches of peach blossoms, clearly having just cut them from the tree. Hearing Xianglan ask about Chunling, Ling Qing said, "Sister Chunling has already gone home. Didn’t she inform you, Madam?"
Xianglan was taken aback and asked, "What happened?"
Ling Qing replied, "This morning, Sister Chunling came into our room to summon us to serve Fourth Miss for tea. When she saw Ling Su and me packing our luggage, she asked what we were doing. We told her it was your order for us to follow you to the capital. Sister Chunling then... she said she was going home immediately. I saw her carrying her bundle out the gate of Hall of Knowing Spring."
Xianglan was astonished and furrowed her brows.
Xue Ning added, "I happened to be there when Chunling was leaving... I stopped her at the inner gate and tried to persuade her for a long time, but I couldn’t change her mind. She said she wasn’t feeling well and was afraid of passing her illness to the masters..."
Xianglan’s face darkened. Anyone could see what was really going on. Chunling’s outburst felt like a slap across her face.
Shu Ran said sternly, "What does she mean by that? Who gave her permission to leave the mansion without authorization? If even you couldn’t persuade her to stay, does she expect Madam to personally go and beg her to return?"
Xiao Juan glanced at Xianglan and said, "Should I... should I go to her home and try to persuade her to come back?"
Xianglan closed her eyes briefly. Though she was kind-hearted and knew to repay kindness, she was no fool who would allow herself to be bullied and manipulated. When she first came to Hall of Knowing Spring as a concubine, she had been utterly despondent and indifferent to everything else, letting Chunling take charge. Chunling had grown accustomed to making decisions for her, so now, at the slightest hint of dissatisfaction, Chunling dared to make a scene and trample on her dignity.
When Xianglan opened her eyes again, they were clear and resolute. She said to Xue Ning, "Go and get ready. Since Chunling is unwell, you will take her place." Then she turned to Xiao Juan and said, "Go to the drawer by my bed and take twenty taels of silver to give to Chunling. Tell her that since she’s unwell, she should rest properly at home and not rush back. This twenty taels is for her medical expenses. If it’s not enough, I’ll give more."
Xiao Juan pouted and said, "Even after all this, you’re still so good to her."
Xianglan only urged, "Go quickly." By having Xue Ning replace Chunling, she was sending a clear message of dissatisfaction. Giving the silver, on the other hand, showed that she still cherished their past relationship. If Chunling was smart, she would know to restrain her behavior upon returning, and Xianglan would treat her as before. If not... Xianglan shook her head. She would repay Chunling’s kindness, but she couldn’t allow anyone to act recklessly by her side.
Shu Ran couldn’t help but nod in approval. She hadn’t expected this seemingly gentle girl to handle the situation so adeptly. Servants like Chunling, who leveraged past favors to act arrogantly, were the hardest to manage. If dealt with too harshly, others would accuse one of ingratitude; if too lenient, they would say one was weak and unable to command respect. Xianglan’s approach was just right—flawless and beyond reproach.Chunling returned home in a huff, clutching her bundle, and immediately gulped down a large bowl of tea upon entering. Lately, nothing had been going right for her. She couldn’t understand why, despite being Xianglan’s most capable aide—her words carrying more weight than even Lianxin’s in the Hall of Knowing Spring, with countless young maids eagerly running errands for her—she was consistently passed over for first-class positions. She had hoped that Xianglan’s return would speak up for her, but Xianglan had changed. In the past, any new maids would be sent to Chunling for training, yet this time, the two newcomers were immediately given authority over her duties and assigned second-class status, a clear sign of disrespect!
Seeing Qiangwei today was the last straw. That little wretch had been promoted to first-class after serving Fourth Miss and now swaggered into the Hall of Knowing Spring to flaunt it, making Chunling’s stomach churn. If she didn’t make a stand now, she’d soon have no place left at all!
She knew Xianglan’s temperament well: upon hearing of her departure, Xianglan would surely send someone to coax her back to the Hall of Knowing Spring. But this time, no matter who came, it would be useless—she would only return if Xianglan personally came to invite her. If for nothing else, she would do it for the sake of face, to teach Xianglan a lesson.
That afternoon, Xiao Juan arrived. Chunling initially intended to feign illness and avoid her, but Xiao Juan barged straight into the room, rattled off Xianglan’s message like popping beans, placed some silver on the table, and turned to leave.
Chunling stood there dumbfounded, utterly stunned.
OpenNovel